As the Beast from the East hits Hertfordshire, flights could be delayed or even cancelled at nearby airports throughout the week.

Stansted Airport remains largely unaffected, but there are some delays and very few cancellations to flights heading for Dublin and Glasgow from Luton Airport.

The travel experts at airFair say before heading to the airport, it’s important that passengers know their rights, as well as when they can and can’t claim compensation in these circumstances.

Airlines can’t be held accountable when extreme weather conditions affect a flight, however it is possible to make a claim if a previous flight has affected a connecting flight – the so-called knock-on-effect.

Check before you leave if your flight is unaffected

Will Smith, head of airFair said: “Despite snow being a grey area for most airlines, we’ve highlighted when passengers are entitled to compensation.

“No one wants to be delayed or faced with cancellations and it’s important for passengers to know when they can and can’t launch a claim due to bad weather.

“However, whether people are commuting, travelling for businesses or jetting off to sunnier climates, passengers’ safety is vital.

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“The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning for the rest of the week, so those who are set to travel should check with their airline before making the journey to the airport.”

Can I claim flight delay compensation if my flight was delayed or cancelled due to bad weather or snow?

Yes and no…

If your flight was delayed as a result of an earlier flight being affected by bad weather or snow, you are entitled to claim compensation.

If your flight was directly affected by bad weather or snow, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be entitled to claim compensation.

Know your rights

How do I know if I can claim?

EU regulation 261/2004 establishes rules on compensation for passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellations or delayed flights.

It applies to all members of the EU and the airlines that reside within them.

Any passenger of any age and nationality whose flight departed from an airport which resides in the European Union or was en-route to an EU member state while travelling with an airline operated in the EU is covered by these rules.

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How long does my flight have to be delayed for?

The regulation states that if you are delayed by more than three hours then you are eligible for compensation. You can also claim if your flight is cancelled or has been overbooked by the airline.

What am I entitled to?

The compensation you are owed is fixed, regardless of your flight cost. The amount of compensation you are entitled to is dependent on the length of your delay and the distance of your flight.

You will receive a fixed amount between €250 (around £175) and €600 (around £520) dependent on these variables.

This compensation should come on top of other extra entitlements, such as meals and refreshments, and, if applicable, overnight accommodation.

airFair offer advice

How do I make a claim?

You could download the airFair App (free on iOS and Android). You only need your booking reference or flight number to launch a claim, but even without that information a check can be made using a departure date and destination airport.